Pengi Editor's Note
This article provides data-rich profiles of 20 top U.S. private high schools for 2025–26, covering both classic East Coast boarding schools and newer options like online programs and West Coast day schools. Pengi's editorial team selected this piece because it gives families a rare side-by-side view of schools they may not otherwise compare — from tuition-free Regis to the $80,000+ Lawrenceville. If you're starting the research process for a high-achieving student, this is a strong first read.
Source: Think Academy Blog
20 Best Private High Schools in the U.S. for 2025–26
Choosing the right private high school can shape a student's academic journey, college opportunities, and personal growth. This guide profiles 20 of the top U.S. private high schools for 2025–26, with key details on tuition, enrollment, deadlines, and standout Ivy+ college placement records.
Schools covered in this article:
| School | Location | Grades | Enrollment | Tuition (2025–26) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groton School | Groton, MA | 8–12 | 385 | $61,810 (boarding); $48,135 (day) |
| Phillips Academy Andover | Andover, MA | 9–12 | 1,165 | $76,731 (boarding); $59,478 (day) |
| Phillips Exeter Academy | Exeter, NH | 9–12 | 1,106 | $69,537 (boarding); $54,312 (day) |
| Choate Rosemary Hall | Wallingford, CT | 9–12 | 867 | $72,420 (boarding); $55,990 (day) |
| Commonwealth School | Boston, MA | 9–12 | 157 | $60,075 |
| The Hotchkiss School | Lakeville, CT | 9–12 | 615 | $75,790 (boarding); $64,420 (day) |
| The College Preparatory School | Oakland, CA | 9–12 | 370 | $60,050 |
| Riverdale Country School | Bronx, NY | Pre-K–12 (Upper 9–12) | 1,300 | $59,412 |
| St. Paul's School | Concord, NH | 9–12 | 540 | $71,800 |
| Stanford Online High School | Redwood City, CA (online) | 7–12 | 1,034 | $30,970 (full-time) |
| Harvard-Westlake School | Los Angeles, CA | 7–12 | 1,620 | $52,500 |
| The Pingry School | Basking Ridge, NJ | K–12 | ~1,200 | $54,795 (Upper School) |
| The Brearley School | New York, NY | K–12 (Girls) | 786 | $66,800 |
| The Nueva School | Hillsborough, CA | Pre-K–12 (Upper 9–12) | 967 | $62,560 |
| St. John's School | Houston, TX | K–12 | 1,422 | $37,050 (Upper) |
| The Lawrenceville School | Lawrenceville, NJ | 9–12 | ~815 | $80,690 (boarding); $66,400 (day) |
| Regis High School | New York, NY | 9–12 (Boys) | 532 | $0 (tuition-free) |
| The Chapin School | New York, NY | K–12 (Girls) | 810 | $68,250 |
| Dwight Global Online School | Online | 6–12 | 318 (Upper) | $42,750 (full-time HS) |
| The Bishop's School | La Jolla, CA | 6–12 | 800 | $49,600 (incl. lunch) |
| Pengi AI | Online | K–12 | Any | Free to start |
1. Groton School — Groton, MA
Small, selective boarding/day school with strong Ivy+ outcomes, including 49 matriculants to UChicago from 2021–2025.
- Grades: 8–12
- Enrollment: 385 (86% boarding, 14% day)
- Application deadline: January 2026
- Tuition (2025–26): $61,810 (boarding); $48,135 (day)
- Average class size: 11
- SAT/ACT (avg): 1500 SAT; 34 ACT
- AP/Advanced: AP pass rate listed 96%.
- Matriculation (Ivy+): (2021–2025) Strong Ivy+ results, with 10+ matriculants each to Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Penn, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, and Stanford, plus 49 to UChicago.
To learn more information: Fast Facts
2. Phillips Academy Andover — Andover, MA
Historic boarding/day academy with ~17.6% of the Class of 2024 heading to Ivies and top universities like UChicago and MIT.
- Grades: 9–12
- Enrollment: 1,165 (75% boarding, 25% day)
- Application deadline: February 1, 2026
- Tuition (2025–26): $76,731 (boarding); $59,478 (day)
- Average class size: 13
- SAT/ACT (mid‑50%): 1370–1550 SAT; 29–34 ACT
- AP/Advanced: School does not offer AP courses; students may sit AP exams independently.
- Matriculation (Ivy+): Class of 2024: ~17.6% to Ivies, with notable matriculations to Columbia (10), Cornell (14), Harvard (9), Princeton (6), and Yale (6), alongside strong representation at top universities such as UChicago and MIT.
- Sport teams: 70+
To learn more information: School profile
3. Phillips Exeter Academy — Exeter, NH
Harkness-based boarding/day school sending 10+ grads to each Ivy between 2022–2024, plus MIT, Stanford, and UChicago.
- Grades: 9–12
- Enrollment: 1,106
- Application deadline: January 15, 2026
- Tuition (2025–26): $69,537 (boarding); $54,312 (day)
- Average class size: 12
- AP/Advanced: School does not offer AP courses; students may sit AP exams independently.
- SAT/ACT (mid‑50%): 1370–1550 SAT; 29–34 ACT
- Matriculation (Ivy+): 2022–2024: ~10+ to each Ivy; also Harvard, Princeton, Yale, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, Cornell, Penn, UChicago, etc.
To learn more information: School profile
4. Choate Rosemary Hall — Wallingford, CT
Prestigious boarding/day school with 15+ graduates to each Ivy from 2020–2024, alongside other top-tier destinations.
- Grades: 9–12
- Enrollment: 867 (75% boarding, 25% day)
- Application deadline: January 15, 2026 (decisions March 10)
- Tuition (2025–26): $72,420 (boarding); $55,990 (day)
- Average class size: 12
- Average GPA: mid‑3.75–3.99 (unweighted)
- AP/Advanced: School does not offer AP courses; students may sit AP exams independently. AP pass rate listed 94%.
- SAT/ACT (avg): 1412 SAT; 30 ACT
- Matriculation (Ivy+): 2020–2024: 15+ to each Ivy; also UChicago, etc.
To learn more information: School profile
5. Commonwealth School — Boston, MA
Small Boston day school with a perfect four-year college matriculation rate and strong Ivy+ placements despite its size.
- Grades: 9–12
- Enrollment: 157
- Application deadline: February 1, 2026 (final docs due February 15)
- Tuition (2025–26): $60,075
- Average class size: 12
- Four‑year matriculation: 100%
- AP/Advanced: AP pass rate 95% (2023)
- SAT/ACT (avg): 1520 SAT (2023)
- Matriculation (Ivy+): Small cohort; 2019–2023 cumulative: 5+ to each Ivy/top‑tier like Harvard, Columbia, UChicago; 1–4 to Princeton, MIT, Yale, Penn, Cornell.
To learn more information:
6. The Hotchkiss School — Lakeville, CT
Top boarding/day school with 10+ Ivy admits annually, plus strong UChicago and Stanford representation.
- Grades: 9–12
- Enrollment: 615
- Application deadline: January 15, 2026 (decisions March 10)
- Tuition (2025–26): $75,790 (boarding); $64,420 (day)
- SAT/ACT (avg): 1421 SAT; 33 ACT
- AP/Advanced: Does not offer AP courses.
- Matriculation (Ivy+): From 2021–2024, 10+ to Ivy and top-tier schools like Princeton, Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Yale and UChicago.
To learn more information: School Profile
7. The College Preparatory School — Oakland, CA
Leading Bay Area day school with notable placements at Stanford, Columbia, UChicago, and UC Berkeley.
- Grades: 9–12
- Enrollment: 370
- Application deadline: January 8, 2026 (docs due February 1; decisions March 20)
- Tuition (2025–26): $60,050
- Average class size: 14
- SAT/ACT (avg): 1462 SAT; 33 ACT
- Matriculation (Ivy+): 10+ over 5 years to Stanford, Columbia, UChicago, WashU, UC Berkeley, Northwestern.
To learn more information: Fast Facts
8. Riverdale Country School — Bronx, NY
Elite NYC day school sending 10+ grads in 5 years to Ivies, Stanford, and other Ivy+ universities.
- Grades: Pre‑K–12 (Upper School 9–12)
- Enrollment: 1,300
- Application deadline: November 15, 2025 (final docs due January 8, 2026)
- Tuition (2025–26): $59,412
- Average class size: 15–16
- Matriculation (Ivy+): 10+ (past 5 years) to Brown, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Stanford, UChicago, Penn, Princeton, Yale.
9. St. Paul's School — Concord, NH
99% four-year college matriculation rate, with consistent Ivy+ placements including Harvard, Columbia, and Yale.
- Grades: 9–12
- Enrollment: 540
- Application deadline: January 15, 2026 (decisions March 10)
- Tuition (2025–26): $71,800
- Average class size: 10
- Graduation rate: 99% matriculate to 4‑year colleges/universities
- Matriculation (Ivy+): (2021–2024) 10+ to Brown, Columbia, Harvard, UChicago, and Yale.
To learn more information: School Profile
10. Stanford Online High School — Redwood City, CA (online)
Selective online school with strong Ivy+ outcomes, including Princeton, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.
- Grades: 7–12
- Enrollment: 1,034
- Application deadline: January 9, 2026
- Tuition (2025–26): $30,970
- Average class size: 12
- SAT/ACT (avg, 2023): 1502 SAT; 35 ACT
- Matriculation (Ivy+): Strong outcomes to Princeton, Harvard, MIT, Cornell, Columbia, Stanford, Penn, UChicago.
To learn more information: School Profile
11. Harvard-Westlake School
LA's premier day school with ~20% Ivy matriculation and top-tier arts, athletics, and academics.
- Grades: 7–12
- Enrollment: 1,620
- Application deadline: January 16, 2026 (interview guarantee by Nov 14; decisions March 13)
- Tuition (2025–26): $52,500
- Average class size: 16
- Graduation rate: 100%
- Average GPA (median, weighted): 3.8–3.99
- SAT/ACT (avg): 1463 SAT; 33 ACT
- Matriculation (Ivy+): ~20% to Ivies; 2020–2024 saw 10+ to each Ivy and top‑tier (Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, Columbia, Yale, Penn, UChicago).
- Sports teams: 90
To learn more information:
12. The Pingry School — Basking Ridge, NJ
K–12 day school with 14.7% Ivy matriculation for the Class of 2024 and multiple admits to Brown, Columbia, and Yale.
- Grades: K–12
- Enrollment: ~1,200
- Application deadlines:
- Nov 7 (EA for 9th; decisions Dec 11)
- Dec 15, 2025 (Regular 9th; decisions Feb 19)
- Tuition (Upper School, 2025–26): $54,795
- Average class size: 14
- Graduation rate: 100% to four‑year colleges/universities
- SAT/ACT: 1320–1450 (Mid 50%) SAT; 28–34 (Mid 50%) ACT
- Matriculation (Ivy+): Class of 2024: 14.7% Ivy; multiple to Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton, Yale.
To learn more information:
13. The Brearley School – All girls — New York, NY
All-girls NYC school with exceptional Ivy+ placement, including 25 to Harvard and 21 to Columbia (2021–2025).
- Grades: K–12
- Enrollment: 786
- Application deadlines: Part 1 due Dec 1, 2025; Part 2 due Jan 8; decisions Feb 13, 2026
- Tuition (2025–26): $66,800
- Matriculation (Ivy+): 2021–2025 top matriculations—Harvard 25, Columbia 21, Cornell 20, Yale 18, Penn 15, Brown 10, Princeton 10.
To learn more information: Fast Facts
14. The Nueva School — Hillsborough, CA
Gifted-education day school with 10+ admits to Ivies and Stanford, MIT, and UChicago since 2020.
- Grades: Pre-K–12 (Upper: 9–12)
- 2025 Total Student Number: 967 (450 upper)
- Application Deadline: November 3, 2025 Guarantee Deadline (all docs due on January 8, 2026)
- Tuition: $62,560
- Average Class Size: 16
- Graduation Rate: 100% to four-year colleges
- Average SAT/ACT: 1510 SAT, 33 ACT
- Matriculation (Ivy+): From 2020–2023, 10+ to Ivy and top-tier schools like Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, Columbia, Penn, and UChicago.
To learn more information:
15. St. John's School — Houston, TX
Houston's leading private school with 10+ Ivy+ admits annually, including Yale, Cornell, and Duke.
- Grades: K–12
- Enrollment: 1,422 (707 upper)
- Application Deadline: December 5, 2025 (Upper)
- Tuition: $37,050 (Upper)
- Average Class Size: ~15
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- AP Pass Rate: 99%
- SAT/ACT: 1480 SAT (Median), 34 ACT (Median)
- Matriculation (Ivy+): From 2020–2024, 10+ to Ivy and top-tier schools like Yale, Cornell, UChicago, Duke, and Brown.
To learn more information:
16. The Lawrenceville School — Lawrenceville, NJ
Boarding/day school with 20+ matriculants to Cornell, Penn, and Princeton over the past 5 years.
- Grades: 9–12, co-ed boarding & day (~815 total; 70% boarding, 30% day)
- Enrollment: ~815
- Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
- Tuition (2025–26): $80,690 (boarding); $66,400 (day)
- AP Pass Rate: — (Lawrenceville uses Harkness table method; not AP-focused)
- Matriculation (Ivy+): (Past 5 years) Ivy+ heavy, with 20+ to Cornell, Penn, Georgetown, Princeton, Harvard, Brown, Duke, Columbia, and Northwestern, plus strong numbers to Stanford, UChicago, MIT, and top liberal arts colleges.
17. Regis High School — New York, NY
Tuition-free Jesuit boys' school with ~20% Ivy matriculation and 100% four-year college acceptance.
- Grades: 9–12, all-boys, Jesuit day school (~532 total)
- Enrollment: 532
- Application Deadline: November 3, 2025
- Tuition (2025–26): $0 (100% tuition-free for all students)
- GPA: 3.70—3.79 (Median)
- Average SAT/ACT: 1430—1530 (Mid 50%) SAT, 33—35 (Mid 50%) ACT
- AP Pass Rate: 96%
- Matriculation (Ivy+): (2021–2024) Strong Ivy+ results, with notable matriculations to Cornell (24), Columbia (9), Dartmouth (6), Harvard (6), Princeton (11), Yale (7), Stanford (9), UChicago (10), and Georgetown (9), alongside leading liberal arts colleges.
To learn more information: School Profile
18. The Chapin School — New York, NY
All-girls day school with strong Ivy+ representation, including 21 to Cornell and 13 to Penn (2021–2025).
- Grades: K–12, all-girls day school (~802 total; ~265 Upper School)
- Enrollment: 810 total
- Application Deadline: December 1, 2025 (all grades)
- Tuition (2025–26): $68,250
- Student-to-teacher: 6:1
- Matriculation (Ivy+): (2021–2025) Strong Ivy+ presence with top matriculations to Cornell (21), Penn (13), Yale (13), UChicago (8), Harvard (7), Princeton (6), Columbia (6), Stanford (5), plus notable numbers to Northwestern, MIT, and leading liberal arts colleges.
To learn more information: Most recent school profile
19. Dwight Global Online School — Online
Online IB and AP program with Ivy+ acceptances to Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Stanford.
- Grades: 6–12, co-ed online
- Enrollment: 318 (upper)
- Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, first round usually ends in January
- Tuition (2025–26): $42,750 (full-time high school)
- Average Class Size: 6
- SAT/ACT: Avg SAT ~1420
- AP Pass Rate: 33% scoring a 5
- IB Pass Rate: 87%
- Matriculation (Ivy+): (Class of 2024) Broad U.S. and international placements, including Ivy+ schools like Cornell, Columbia, Duke, Emory, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, plus UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Michigan, and leading global universities.
To learn more information: School profile
20. The Bishop's School — La Jolla, CA
La Jolla day school with ~9.3% Ivy matriculation for 2024 and strong STEM and liberal arts pathways.
- Grades: 6–12, co-ed day
- Enrollment: 800
- Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Tuition (2025–26): $49,600 (includes lunch)
- Average Class Size: 14—16
- Average GPA: 3.70—4.32 (Mid 50%)
- SAT/ACT: 1360—1550 (Mid 50%) SAT, 33—35 (Mid 50%) ACT
- Matriculation (Ivy+): Class of 2024 with 9.3% to Ivies, with 2021–2024 totals exceeding 10 matriculants each to Harvard, Stanford, MIT, UCB, UChicago and other top-tier universities.
To learn more information: School profile
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These 20 high schools represent the pinnacle of U.S. private education, offering not only exceptional academics but also direct pathways to the nation's most selective colleges. Whether you're seeking a traditional boarding experience, a dynamic urban campus, or the flexibility of an elite online program, the right choice will align with your child's learning style, ambitions, and future goals. By considering factors like tuition, application timelines, and college placement records, families can make confident, informed decisions that maximize opportunities beyond high school.
FAQ for Private High Schools
Q1. What defines a top U.S. private high school? Top schools pair rigorous academics with selective admissions and outstanding college outcomes—often sending 10–20% of graduates to Ivy and other Ivy-plus universities (e.g., Stanford, MIT, UChicago). They feature small classes, high test scores, nearly 100% four-year college matriculation, and distinctive models like Harkness, AP/IB, or specialized STEM/arts tracks.
Q2. How much does tuition cost at leading private high schools? Tuition ranges from ~$30,000 for some day programs to $80,000+ for elite boarding schools. Many offer robust financial aid.
Q3. What class sizes can families expect? Typical class sizes are 10–16 students, supporting discussion-based learning and close faculty mentorship.
Q4. Do graduates from these schools get into Ivy+ colleges? Yes. Profiles in this guide show consistent Ivy+ placement—often double-digit matriculations to Ivies and top universities such as Stanford, MIT, and UChicago.
Q5. Do all top schools offer AP or IB? Not always. Some schools don't offer AP courses but allow students to sit AP exams independently; others run AP/IB or their own advanced curricula.
Q6. What's the difference between boarding and day programs? Boarding schools provide residential communities with higher tuition; day schools serve local families. This guide covers both, noting enrollment mix (e.g., 70–86% boarding at some schools).
Q7. Are there tuition-free or lower-cost options among top schools? Yes. Regis High School is featured as tuition-free; several selective day schools also have lower tuition than boarding programs.
Q8. Are online private high schools included? Yes. Stanford Online High School and Dwight Global Online School appear with competitive outcomes, small classes, and AP/IB access.
Q9. When are application deadlines? Deadlines vary by school, generally from early November to February (with decisions often in March). Each profile lists its specific 2025–26 timeline.
Q10. What standardized test scores are typical? Many profiled schools report average or mid-50% SAT around 1370–1550 and ACT around 29–35, reflecting highly prepared cohorts.
Q11. What non-academic opportunities do these schools offer? Programs commonly include robust arts and athletics, with some schools listing 70–90+ teams and extensive extracurriculars.
Q12. How can families choose the best fit? Match your goals to each school's academics, outcomes, class size, boarding/day model, location, costs/aid, and signature programs (e.g., Harkness, STEM, arts). Use the school profiles' tuition, deadlines, and matriculation data to compare.
Why Accelerated Math Matters for Private High Schools
One of the most important academic differentiators for competitive private high schools is placement on an accelerated math track. Compared with public schools, academic private schools typically move faster and expect students to reach advanced math earlier.
| Grade | Public School Curriculum | Academic Private School Curriculum | Recommended Math Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| G6 | Pre-Algebra (starting) | Pre-Algebra / Algebra 1 | AMC 8 / AMC 10 |
| G7 | Math 7 (Pre-Algebra) | Algebra 1 / Geometry | AMC 8 / AMC 10 |
| G8 | Math 8 (Pre-Algebra) | Geometry / Algebra 2 | AMC 8 / AMC 10 / AIME |
| G9 | Algebra 1 | Algebra 2 / Pre-Calculus | AMC 10 / AIME |
| G10 | Geometry / Algebra 2 | Pre-Calculus / Calculus AB / SAT Math | AMC 10 / AIME / USA(J)MO |
| G11 | Algebra 2 / Pre-Calc / SAT | Calculus BC / Stats / SAT Math | AMC 12 / AIME / USAMO |
| G12 | Calculus / Stats | Multivariable Calculus / Stats | AMC 12 / USAMO |
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